Pat Letuli, wife of the late Chief Freddie Letuli, signs their book, "Flaming Sword of Samoa: the Story of the Fire Knife Dance," 1 p.m. today, Windward Mall center stage. 234-5664.

Elmer Guzman signs his book "The Shoreline Chef: Creative Cuisine for Hawaiian Reef Fish," 3 p.m. today, Hale Ku'ai Cooperative, Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center. 924-5455.

Rita Beamish, author of "Perils of Paradise," signs her book, noon-1 p.m. Saturday, Waldenbook, Kahala Mall. 737-9550.

FOR WRITERS

How to Write and Sell the Short Stuff, online course by Beverly Richards Schulz on breaking into the magazine market with essays, humorous writing, restaurant reviews. Complete assignments online, May 24-July 3; course fee $63, plus textbook. Register for course No. S06944: at 956-8400 or at www.outreach.hawaii.edu.

Aloha Performing Arts Co. (Big Island) requests submission of scripts for the Original Play Festival scheduled for Aug. 18-22. Call for details and requirements: (808) 322-9924. Postmark deadline is May 28.

Honolulu Theatre for Youth and Kumu Kahua Theatre announce an open call for stories to be included in "Christmas Talk Story 2004." Submission must be themed on winter holidays in Hawai'i, be told in the first person from a child's point of view, and be between 350 to 700 words. Call 839-9885, ext. 17. Deadline for submission is June 1.

Please Pass the Trombone, a children's writing workshop with Nancy Willard, 7-9 p.m. June 9, UH-Manoa, Kuykendall Hall 410; $25 ($20 for members of Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Hawai'i). Register at 235-2346.

Seeking Wonder and Wisdom, 12th biennial conference on literature and Hawai'i's children, with workshops, presentations and children's activities, June 10-12, UH-Manoa Campus Center; most events are free. Call 956-7559.

Monkeypod ink seeks submissions for an upcoming anthology of short stories from Hawai'i residents. Send completed short-story manuscripts to monkeypod ink, c/o Amber Stierli, 1615A Emerson St., #A-3, Honolulu, HI 96813 or call 521-2556. Deadline is June 18.

Lee A. Tonouchi, a pidgin writer and activist, is seeking submissions for his "Da Kine Dictionary." Obtain submission forms for pidgin words at www.dakinedictionary.com or 734-7159, ext. 21.

READING GROUPS

Mystery Divas, 2 p.m. today, The Haunt. 943-0371.

Non-Fiction Reading Group now forming. Persons interested in discussing serious works can e-mail talkischeap@hawaii.rr.com.

FOR KEIKI

Keiki Storytime, 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and 11 a.m. Saturdays, Borders, Waikele. 676-6699.

Craft and Storytime, 11 a.m. Tuesdays, Barnes & Noble, Kahala Mall. 737-3323.

Keiki Storytime, 11 a.m. Saturdays, Borders, Ward Centre. 591-8995.